Kingsley Ehizibue starts new Serie A chapter with Genoa

Netherlands and Nigeria defender Kingsley Ehizibue has joined Genoa on a free transfer after leaving Udinese, giving the Serie A club an experienced right-back for the 2026-27 season.

The 31-year-old completed the move on 3 September 2026. Ehizibue had become a free agent after ending his time with Udinese on 1 July, having spent four seasons with the Italian club.

Ehizibue arrived at Udinese from German side 1. FC Koln in August 2022 in a €1.5m transfer. He had joined Koln from Dutch club PEC Zwolle in 2019 for €2m, having progressed into senior football with the same club after coming through its under-19 set-up.

His career has included substantial experience in the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. He has made 115 Serie A appearances, scoring four goals and providing two assists, while also recording 122 Eredivisie appearances, with eight goals and 15 assists. In the Bundesliga, he played 69 times and scored once, with three assists.

Ehizibue’s record also includes appearances in domestic cup competitions in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, as well as European qualifying and play-off matches. His experience in Serie A gives Genoa a defender familiar with the pace and demands of the Italian top flight.

Born in Munich on 25 May 1995, Ehizibue is eligible to represent both the Netherlands and Nigeria. He is a right-footed defender whose primary position is right-back.

His move to Genoa follows a career that began at PEC Zwolle, where he made the step from the club’s youth structure to senior football. He subsequently established himself in the Eredivisie before moving abroad to Koln and later continuing his career in Italy.

Genoa have added him to their squad ahead of the new Serie A campaign, with the defender bringing experience from more than 100 league appearances in Italy. His arrival also marks a return to club football after two months without a club following his departure from Udinese.

Ehizibue has now completed his free transfer from Udinese to Genoa.